Can content verification systems and methods

ABSTRACT

A method of verifying an identity of objects in a production line may include transporting a plurality of objects along a production line. The method may include detecting an individual object of the plurality of objects using a proximity sensor. The method may include triggering a plurality of imaging sensors to capture an image of a barcode on an outer surface of the individual object based on detection of the individual object by the proximity sensor. The method may include determining whether data from the barcode matches predetermined barcode data.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/401,707, filed on Aug. 13, 2021, the entire disclosure of which areincorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present technology relates to components and apparatuses formanufacturing beverage cans. More specifically, the present technologyrelates to image-based techniques for ensuring that each can producedmeets quality control standards.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During the filling of beverages it is imperative that a correct beverageis dispensed into a correct can, bottle, or other packaging material.Matching up a correct beverage with a correct product package may beparticularly important in preventing an alcoholic beverage from beingdispensed into a soda can, for example. Currently, production linesutilize mixed label inspection techniques to verify that a correct canis being filled. In mixed label inspection, an imaging system is trainedto learn what the correct label or other decoration of a given productlooks like. The imaging system then compares the outside of each can tothe image of the correct label to determine whether a correct can ispresent. However, there are several problems with conventional mixedlabel inspection techniques. For example, the imaging systems typicallyonly have a 60-80% accuracy rate. This relatively low accuracy rate,coupled with the speed of the line (oftentimes exceeding 200, 500, or1000 cans per minute in a given line of cans), may lead to anunacceptably high error rate. Additionally, brands often utilize similarpackaging, with only slight differences, for similar products within agiven product line. For example, a diet version of a drink may have aslightly different color scheme and one or two minor design changes whencompared to a design for a corresponding non-diet formulation. Theseslight differences may make it difficult for imaging systems toaccurately identify a given can. Additionally, there is a chance that awrong can is used in the training run, which may lead the imaging systemto identify cans incorrectly. Therefore, improvements in verifying thecorrect identity of cans and other packaging are needed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments of the present technology may encompass methods ofverifying an identity of objects in a production line. The methods mayinclude transporting a plurality of objects along a production line. Themethods may include detecting an individual object of the plurality ofobjects using a proximity sensor. The methods may include triggering aplurality of imaging sensors to capture an image of a barcode on anouter surface of the individual object based on detection of theindividual object by the proximity sensor. The methods may includedetermining whether data from the barcode matches predetermined barcodedata.

In some embodiments, the methods may include halting movement of atleast a portion of the production line upon determining that the datafrom the barcode does not match the predetermined barcode data. Themethods may include removing the individual object from the productionline upon determining that the data from the barcode does not match thepredetermined barcode data. The barcode may be aligned vertically alonga side of the individual object. The methods may include comparing anumber of objects detected by the proximity sensor with a number ofbarcodes analyzed by the plurality of imaging sensors to determinewhether all of the plurality of objects within a production run havebeen verified. The methods may include removing the individual objectfrom the production line if no barcode is imaged by the plurality ofimaging sensors. The methods may include illuminating the outer surfaceof the object with a plurality of light sources that are directed towardthe outer surface.

Some embodiments of the present technology may encompass productionlines. The production lines may include a conveyor mechanism that isconfigured to transport a plurality of objects down a portion of theproduction line. The production lines may include a proximity sensordisposed along the conveyor mechanism. The production lines may includea plurality of imaging sensors directed at the conveyor mechanism. Theproduction lines may include one or more processors. The productionlines may include a memory. The memory may have instructions storedthereon that, when executed, cause the one or more processors to detectan individual object of the plurality of objects using the proximitysensor. The instructions may further cause the one or more processors totrigger the plurality of imaging sensors to capture an image of abarcode on an outer surface of the individual object based on detectionof the individual object by the proximity sensor. The instructions mayfurther cause the one or more processors to determine whether data fromthe barcode matches predetermined barcode data.

In some embodiments, the production lines may include a removalmechanism positioned downstream of the plurality of imaging sensors. Theinstructions may further cause the one or more processors to cause theremoval mechanism to remove the individual object from the productionline upon determining that the data from the barcode does not match thepredetermined barcode data. The removal mechanism may include apneumatic blower that is configured to emit pressurized air to removeobjects from the production line. The production lines may include aplurality of light sources that emit light that is directed towardimaging fields of the plurality of imaging sensors. Each of theplurality of light sources may be positioned above or below a height ofthe individual object. The plurality of imaging sensors may be arrangedto generate an overall image field that extends 360 degrees about theindividual object. The plurality of imaging sensors may include fourimaging sensors, with one of the four imaging sensors disposed within adifferent quadrant about the individual object.

Some embodiments of the present technology may encompass productionlines. The production lines may include a conveyor mechanism that isconfigured to transport a plurality of objects down a portion of theproduction line. The production lines may include a proximity sensordisposed along the conveyor mechanism. The production lines may includea plurality of optical sensors directed at the conveyor mechanism. Theproduction lines may include one or more processors. The productionlines may include a memory. The memory may have instructions storedthereon that, when executed, cause the one or more processors to detectan individual object of the plurality of objects using the proximitysensor. The instructions may further cause the one or more processors toanalyze a barcode detected on an outer surface of the individual objectusing the plurality of optical sensors based on detection of theindividual object by the proximity sensor. The instructions may furthercause the one or more processors to determine whether data from thebarcode matches predetermined barcode data.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of optical sensors mayinclude a camera that is configured to image the outer surface of theindividual object. Analyzing the barcode may include detecting thebarcode within an image of the outer surface of the individual object.Each of the plurality of optical sensors may include a laser scanner.The production lines may include a plurality of light sources directedtoward image fields of the plurality of optical sensors. A number of theplurality of light sources may be equal to or greater than a number ofthe plurality of optical sensors. The instructions may further cause theone or more processors to halt movement of at least a portion of theproduction line upon determining that the data from the barcode does notmatch the predetermined barcode data. The instructions may further causethe one or more processors to compare a number of objects detected bythe proximity sensor with a number of barcodes analyzed by the pluralityof imaging sensors to determine whether all of the plurality of objectswithin a production run have been verified. The production line mayinclude a necker that is configured to shape a neck of each of theplurality of objects. The conveyor mechanism may be configured totransport the plurality of objects from the necker at least partially toa subsequent station of the production line. The subsequent station mayinclude a palletizer. The production line may include an unloadingmechanism that is configured to transfer the plurality of objects from apallet to the conveyor mechanism. The production line may include afilling station that is configured to receive acceptable objects of theplurality of objects from the conveyor mechanism.

Some embodiments of the present technology may encompass productionlines in beverage package filling facilities. The production lines mayinclude a conveyor mechanism that is configured to transport a pluralityof cans or bottles down a portion of the production line. The conveyormechanism may transport the cans or bottles from an unloading mechanism,such as a de-palletizer, to a beverage filling station. The productionlines may include a proximity sensor disposed along the conveyormechanism. The production lines may include a plurality of opticalsensors directed at the conveyor mechanism. The production lines mayinclude one or more processors. The production lines may include amemory. The memory may have instructions stored thereon that, whenexecuted, cause the one or more processors to detect an individualobject of the plurality of objects using the proximity sensor. Theinstructions may further cause the one or more processors to analyze abarcode detected on an outer surface of the individual object using theplurality of optical sensors based on detection of the individual objectby the proximity sensor. The instructions may further cause the one ormore processors to determine whether data from the barcode matchespredetermined barcode data.

Some embodiments of the present technology may encompass methods ofverifying an identity of objects at a beverage package filling stationsand/or facilities. The methods may include transporting a plurality ofobjects along a production line. The cans or bottles may be transportedfrom an unloading mechanism, such as a de-palletizer, to a beveragefilling station. The methods may include detecting an individual objectof the plurality of objects using a proximity sensor. The methods mayinclude triggering a plurality of imaging sensors to capture an image ofa barcode on an outer surface of the individual object based ondetection of the individual object by the proximity sensor. The methodsmay include determining whether data from the barcode matchespredetermined barcode data. When the data from the barcode matches thepredetermined barcode data, the can may be approved and transportedfurther down the production line, such as to a filling station.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the disclosedtechnology may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of thespecification and the drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a production line 100 forproducing beverage cans according to embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic partial top plan view of a productionline according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2A illustrates a schematic partial top plan view of the productionline of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 2B illustrates schematic partial side elevation view of theproduction line of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 3 illustrates a number of cans in a single file line according toembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process for verifying an identityof objects in a production line according to embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a computing system according to embodimentsof the present invention.

Several of the figures are included as schematics. It is to beunderstood that the figures are for illustrative purposes, and are notto be considered of scale unless specifically stated to be of scale.Additionally, as schematics, the figures are provided to aidcomprehension and may not include all aspects or information compared torealistic representations, and may include exaggerated material forillustrative purposes.

In the appended figures, similar components and/or features may have thesame reference label. Further, various components of the same type maybe distinguished by following the reference label by a letter thatdistinguishes among the similar components. If only the first referencelabel is used in the specification, the description is applicable to anyone of the similar components having the same first reference labelirrespective of the letter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is notintended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of thedisclosure. Rather, the description of the exemplary embodiments willprovide those skilled in the art with an enabling description forimplementing one or more exemplary embodiments. It being understood thatvarious changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elementswithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the appended claims.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and methodsfor verifying that a correct product container, e.g., beverage can, isbeing prepared for a given product. For example, the systems and methodsdescribed herein may be used to ensure that a correct can is beingpalletized and/or otherwise packaged, or is being filled with aparticular beverage. Embodiments may verify the identity of a given canusing one or more imaging and/or optical sensors that are arranged tomonitor an outside of each can as the can proceeds down a productionline. The sensors may analyze information encoded on the can (such as ina barcode, QR code, or RFID tag) and compare the information read fromthe can with predetermined barcode data to determine if the can is thecorrect type of can to be on the production line. Incorrect cans(referred to herein as “foreign cans”) may be removed from theproduction line. In some embodiments, when a foreign can is detected,the production line may be automatically halted such that a human mayinspect the production line and determine how the foreign can enteredthe production line. As used herein, “automatically” means without anyhuman intervention.

While described primarily in the context of beverage cans, it will beappreciated that the systems and methods described herein may beutilized in other manufacturing processes in which the identify of aproduct or other object needs to be verified and/or a high rate ofaccuracy is necessary. Additionally, while described primarily in thecontext of verifying the identity of cans prior to palletizing and/orfilling operations to prevent the wrong can from being filled with aparticular beverage, it will be appreciated that the techniquesdescribed herein may be implemented at other locations within aproduction line. Additionally, the techniques described herein are notlimited to beverage cans and may be utilized in other applications, suchas other canning operations, bottling operations, and/or otheroperations in which a specific package is filled with a particularobject and/or substance.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a production line 100 forproducing beverage cans, such as aluminum cans. Production line 100 willbe described as including a number of different devices and is merelyrepresentative of one example of a production line. It will beappreciated that numerous variations may exist and that functionalitydescribed in relation to one or more devices may be combined andperformed by a single device in some embodiments, while in otherembodiments functionality attributed to a single device may be performedby a number of distinct devices. Additionally, some embodiments mayinclude additional steps and/or omit one or more steps. Production line100 may include an uncoiler 102 that lubricates sheet metal and feedsthe lubricated sheet metal into a cupping press 104. The cupping press104 may include a punch that punches out disc-shaped blanks from thesheet metal and subsequently forms the blanks into cup-shapes. Forexample, the flat disc-shaped blanks may be positioned between a drawingdie and a blank holder. The drawing die may define a receptacle that issized to be larger than a final diameter of the finished can. A punchmay press a portion of the blank into the receptacle such that the blankis transformed into a cup-shape.

The cup-shaped blank may be transported to a bodymaker 106, which mayform a general shape of the can. For example, the bodymaker 106 mayposition each cup-shaped blank over a re-drawing die, which may have adiameter that approximately matches a diameter of the finished can. Apunch may press the cup-shaped blank through the re-drawing die, whichincreases the height of the blank while reducing a diameter of the blankto be approximately equal to that of the finished can. After re-drawingthe blank, a number of ironing stages may be performed on each blank.For example, in some embodiments each can blank may be passed throughthree or more ironing stages. At each ironing stage, the blank may bepositioned over an ironing die that defines a central aperture, witheach successive ironing stage having an ironing die that has an innerdiameter that is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the canblank. At each stage, a punch may press the can blank through theironing die, which causes the can blank to be stretched vertically,while keeping an inner diameter of the blank unchanged. The ironingprocess may be repeated any number of times until the can blank has aheight that is greater than a final height of the finished can.Oftentimes, during the drawing, re-drawing, and/or ironing process, thebodymaker 106 may spray or otherwise supply a lubricating fluid to thecan blank to lubricate and cool the can blank during formation of thecan body. After ironing, the blank may be domed. For example, the canblank may be positioned over a doming tool that has a convex dome-shapedsurface. A punch having a concave lower surface may press a bottomsurface of the blank against the doming tool to form a dome-shapedindentation on the bottom of the blank. After the dome-shaped indentionis formed, the blank may be transported to a trimmer 108. The trimmer108 may trim and/or otherwise remove a top end of the blank such thatthe top end of the blank has a straight top edge and such that the canblank has a desired height.

After trimming, the blanks may be transported to a washer 110. A numberof washing and/or etching operations may be performed on each blank towash away lubricants from the bodymaker 106 and/or to prepare thesurface of the can blank for printing. For example, in some embodiments,a six-stage cleaning process may be performed. In some embodiments, eachcan blank may be sprayed with two stages of an acid wash. For example,the acidic wash may include sulfuric acid (such as 30% to 40% molarH₂SO₄) and/or other acid-based cleaning agents, which may etch and/orotherwise remove a thin layer of material from the surface of the canblank. Additional cleaning solutions may include, without limitation,Ridoline 740E, Ridoline 120SNF, Bonderite 404S, and/or Bonderite 77produced by Henkel of Dusseldorf, Germany.

A number of water washes may be performed on each can blank after theacid wash stages. For example, deionized water may be sprayed and/orotherwise applied to the can blank to rinse away the other cleaningsolutions. After washing, the can blanks may be transported to a dryer112. The dryer 112 may include an oven, air jet, and/or other dryingmechanism that may dry the can blanks prior to applying any decorationto the can blank.

The dried can blanks may be transported to a decorator 114, which mayapply a decoration (such as a brand name, product name, nutritioninformation, etc.) to an outer surface of the can blank. The decorator114 may apply any decoration to the outer surface of the can blank inone or more steps. For example, the decorator 114 may be an 8-coloroffset machine (or other number of colors) that may apply ink to theouter surface of the can blank using a rotation printing process togenerate a desired decoration. After printing the decoration, thedecorator 114 may apply an overprint varnish to protect the ink. Abottom of the can may be rim-coated, which may help facilitate rotationand/or other movement of the can blank along the production line. Thedecorated can blanks may be cured within a pin oven 116 to harden theink and varnish.

The cured can blanks may be transported to a lacquer applicator 118. Thelacquer applicator 118 may apply a food-grade lacquer to an interiorsurface of each can blank. This lacquer may help ensure that the finalbeverage and metal do not contact and/or react with one another. Forexample, the lacquer may prevent a beverage from eating through themetal, and may also prevent materials from the metal from leeching intoand/or reacting with the beverage. The lacquer may be dried within acuring oven 120.

The can blanks may then be transported to a necker 122. The necker 122may shape a top end of the can blank to form a neck. For example, anumber of necking stages may gradually narrow the top end of the canblank to form the neck. Each necking stage may include an inner die thatis inserted within the can blank and a necking die that is positionedoutside the can blank. In each stage, the necking die has a slightlysmaller inner diameter so as to slightly bend the top of the can inwardto form the neck. In some instances, as many as 11 necking stages may beused to form the neck. Once the neck is formed, a top edge of the neckmay be curved over to form a flange that may later be used in sealingthe can. After the neck has been flanged, the cans may be transported toa palletizer 124, which may arrange the cans on pallets for transport toa filling facility and/or station 126.

The filling station 126 may be in a same facility as the rest of theproduction line 100 and/or may be located in a remote facility. Forexample, a manufacturer of the cans may provide the palletized cans to abottler, which may fill and seal the cans for shipment to customers. Atthe filling station 126, each can may be filled with a beverage (orother substance) that corresponds to the decoration and/or otheridentifier (such as a barcode) that is printed on the can. After thecans are filled, a top, such as a lid having a stay-on tab, may beaffixed to the flanged neck of the can. For example, edges of the lidand flanged neck may be crimped together, oftentimes with a sealantdisposed therebetween to help seal the can. Prior to and/or duringfilling, the liquid may be pasteurized to kill bacteria within the can.This process may involve heating the liquid up to a temperature of atleast 63° C. in some embodiments. In some embodiments, thepasteurization may include heating the liquid prior to dispensing theliquid into the cans. In other embodiments, once filled, the cans may beheated within a pasteurization oven to heat the liquid inside the cansto the necessary temperature. For example, heated water (such as waterat 65° C.-80° C.) may be sprayed on the filled cans to heat the contentsof the can. After the cans have reached the necessary temperature, thecans may be cooled prior to palletization, such as by spraying the canswith cool water. This cooling may help prevent the formation ofcondensation on the outside of the cans, which may damage cardboard usedin the palletization/packing process.

Transportation of the cans/blanks between the various devices may beperformed by different conveyor mechanisms 128 throughout themanufacturing process. The mechanism chosen for a given stage may dependon a number of lines of cans entering and/or exiting a given device, adesired throughput, a desired orientation of the cans entering and/orexiting a given device, a current state of the cans entering and/orexiting a given device, and/or other factors. Possible conveyormechanisms may include conveyor belts, vacuum conveyors (such as vacuumbridges), chain conveyors, roller conveyors, chute conveyors, verticalconveyors, wheel conveyors, pneumatic conveyors, and/or other conveyormechanisms.

The production line 100 may include any number of quality controlstations (not shown) positioned at one or more locations along theproduction line 100. The quality control stations may check for defectswithin the cans and ensure that each can meets a required qualitycontrol standard. The quality control stations may include one or moresensors (such as imaging sensors, scales, coating thickness gauges,enamel raters, tension meters, and the like) that may be used todetermine whether individual cans meet the quality control standards.For example, the sensors may detect a wall thickness of the cans, a domedepth, can weight, proper diameters of the cans, a can height, presenceof varnish and/or lacquer, quality of decoration (possibly including abarcode and/or other identifier), presence of a bottom rim coating,packaging quality, and the like. The quality control stations may bepositioned after a given operation (e.g., checking a thickness ofvarnish and/or lacquer immediately after application/curing) and/or maybe positioned at a later stage of the production line 100. For example,in some embodiments one or more quality control stations may bepositioned just prior to the palletizer 124, such that the sensors maydetect any defects that have occurred during production prior to thecans being loaded onto a pallet for shipment to a customer and/orfilling. Similarly, one or more quality control stations may bepositioned along the filling station 126 to ensure that the cans meetquality control standards prior to, during, and/or after filling of thecan.

Production line 100 may include one or more removal mechanisms (notshown) that may be positioned at one or more points along the productionline 100. The removal mechanisms may be used to remove defective and/orotherwise imperfect cans from the production line 100. For example, ifone of the quality control stations determines that a given can or groupof cans does not meet a predetermined quality control standard, aremoval mechanism may remove the can or group of cans from theproduction line 100. In some instances, only those cans that have beendetermined to not meet quality control standard may be removed, while inother embodiments a section of cans proximate the defective can or cansmay also be removed. The removal of cans proximate a defective can maybe particularly useful in some instances. For example, cans that areimproperly oriented on a piece of equipment may lead to collateraldamage to nearby otherwise good cans. The removal mechanisms may takemany forms, such as air guns, vacuum bridges, mechanical arms, magneticrejection system (for packaging materials that are ferromagnetic),and/or other known removal mechanisms.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic partial top plan view of an exemplaryproduction line 200 according to some embodiments of the presenttechnology. FIG. 2 may illustrate further details relating to componentsin production line 100, such as for a quality control station.Production line 200 is understood to include any feature or aspect ofproduction line 100 discussed previously in some embodiments. Theproduction line 200 may be used to manufacture and/or fill cans 250 aspreviously described, as well as other products and objects. Each can250 (or other object) may include a barcode or other identifier that isencoded with data. Barcodes may include any kind of one-dimensionalbarcodes (e.g., linear barcodes) and/or two-dimensional barcodes (e.g.,quick response (QR) codes, data matrix codes, etc.). Oftentimes, whenone-dimensional barcodes are used, the barcodes may be provided in ahorizontal and/or vertical orientation along an outer surface of thecan. As will be explained in greater detail elsewhere, this orientationapplying the barcodes in a vertical orientation may enable data from thebarcode to be decoded and analyzed even if only a portion of the barcodeis visible. Production line 200 may show a partial view of theproduction line components being discussed and that may be incorporatedin a larger manufacturing system. Any aspect of production line 200 mayalso be incorporated with other production lines or manufacturingsystems as will be readily understood by the skilled artisan.

Production line 200 may include one or more conveyor mechanisms 202 thatmay transport a number of objects, such as beverage cans 250, down aportion of the production line 200. Each conveyor mechanism 202 may bepositioned proximate an output of a manufacturing device 204 and maytransport cans 250 from the manufacturing device 204 downstream to asubsequent station 206 of the production line 200. As just one example,the conveyor mechanism 202 may be positioned after the necker 122 (themanufacturing device 204) of production line 100 and may transport theformed cans 250 at least partway to the palletizer 124 (the subsequentstation 206) as described above in relation to FIG. 1 . In otherembodiments, the conveyor mechanism 202 may be part of a filling station126 and be positioned after an unloading mechanism, such as ade-palletizer, (the manufacturing device 204) that unloads cans 250 froma pallet or other storage unit for transport to a filling nozzle of thefilling station 126 (the subsequent station 206). It will be appreciatedthat in various embodiments the conveyor mechanism 202 may be positionedat any location on a production line downstream of the decorator 114(which applies the barcode to the can 250). In beverage fillingfacilities, the conveyor mechanism 202 may be positioned at any locationbetween the unpacking mechanism and a packing machine, such as justbefore and/or after the filling station 126. The conveyor mechanism 202may be any type of conveyor mechanism, such as but not limited to, abelt conveyor, a vacuum conveyor, or chain conveyor. In someembodiments, one or more conveyor mechanisms 202 may transport the cans250 in one or more single file lines along at least a portion of alength of the conveyor mechanism 202. In the case of cans 250, the cans250 may be positioned on the conveyor mechanism 202 with thedomed-bottom end facing down in some embodiments.

Production line 200 may include a number (four are shown for eachconveyor mechanism 202) of imaging sensors 208 (which may includeoptical sensors such as laser barcode readers), which may each bedirected at an imaging position 210 on the conveyor mechanism 202. Forexample, each of the imaging sensors 208 may be positioned alongside ofone of the single file lines of the conveyor mechanism 202 at a heightthat is proximate a height of the cans 250, although the imaging sensors208 may be positioned above or below the height of the cans 250 in someembodiments. One or more imaging sensors 208 may be positioned on eitherside of each single file line such that both sides of each can 250 maybe imaged. In embodiments in which multiple single file lines areincluded, each line may include one or more dedicated sets of imagingsensors 208. The use of multiple sets of imaging sensors 208 on a givensingle file line may enable multiple cans 250 to be imagedsimultaneously. For example, two sets of imaging sensors 208 may bepositioned such that each set images every other can 250 transporteddown the production line 200. In some embodiments, each imaging sensor208 may be positioned at approximately a height of a barcode printed oneach can 250, although the imaging sensors 208 may be positioned atother heights in various embodiments. By positioning the imaging sensors208 in such a manner, it may be easier to read barcodes detected withinimages of cans 250 captured by the imaging sensors 208.

In some embodiments, the imaging sensors 208 may be cameras, such asdigital cameras that include charge-coupled device (CCD) and/orcomplementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) sensors and/or mayinclude other types of imaging sensors that can detect the presence of,and read data encoded on a barcode. In a particular embodiment, theimaging sensors 208 may include polarized retro-reflective photoelectricsensors. In some embodiments, optical sensors, such as laser barcodescanners may be used and may directly scan and decode data from barcodeson each can 250. The imaging sensors 208 may capture still images and/orvideo images in various embodiments. For example, in some embodiments,the imaging sensors 208 may be triggered to capture an image (or scan abarcode) each time a can 250 is detected as being in or approaching theimaging position. In other embodiments, an image may be taken at regularintervals, such as at intervals that match a rate that the cans 250 passthe imaging position and/or a video image may be continuously capturedduring a given production run. In such embodiments, the imaging sensors208 may be triggered with or without the use of proximity sensors (aswill be described elsewhere herein). Imaging sensors 208 may captureimages of each can 250 passing through the single file line.

Oftentimes, due to the manner in which cans 250 are loaded onto and/ortransported by the conveyor mechanism 202, the cans 250 may bepositioned at different orientations when the cans 250 reach the imagingposition 210. Additionally, as the cans 250 may be moved from a numberof lanes to into single file lines, rotation may be imparted on some orall of the cans 250 as the cans 250 pass down a length of the conveyormechanism 202. The cans 250 are typically spaced closely together, withonly a small gap (e.g., less than 1 can width, less than 0.5 of a canwidth, or less than 0.25 of a can width) separating adjacent cans 250.To help maintain a consistent spacing between the cans 250, one or moremechanisms, such as silicone and/or rubber brake guards and/orindustrial brushes may be used. In other embodiments, the spacingbetween cans 250 may be maintained by adjusting airflow of an air-infeedthat may transport the cans 250 down the conveyor mechanism 202. FIG. 3illustrates a single file line of cans 250 that may be imaged by imagingsensors 208. For example, can 250 a may have a fully visible barcode 252a, which may be captured by one or more imaging sensors 208. Can 250 bmay have a partially visible barcode 252 b, with a portion of thebarcode 252 b being obscured by can 250 a. Can 250 c may have apartially visible barcode 252 c, with a portion of the barcode 252 cbeing obscured by can 250 d. Can 250 d may have a fully obscured barcode252 d, as the barcode 252 d may be directly (within about 10 degrees orless) facing can 250 c, which may fully block the barcode 252 d from theimaging field of any of the imaging sensors 208.

Turning back to FIG. 2 , as the barcodes may be at any position on thecan 250 when reaching the imaging position 210, embodiments may utilizetwo or more imaging sensors 208 to monitor each single file line of cans250 in production line 200 (with at least one imaging sensor 208 beingpositioned on either side of the single file line) to maximize thelikelihood that at least a portion of the barcode of a given can 250 isvisible to the imaging sensors 208. For example, each single file linemay include at least or about two imaging sensors, at least or aboutthree imaging sensors, at least or about four imaging sensors, at leastor about five imaging sensors, at least or about six imaging sensors, atleast or about seven imaging sensors, at least or about eight imagingsensors, at least or about nine imaging sensors, at least or about tenimaging sensors, or more. Regardless of the number of imaging sensors208 used, the imaging sensors 208 directed at a given single file linemay be arranged to collectively image at least 75%, at least 85%, atleast 95%, or approximately all of a visible surface area of the outersurface of an individual can 250 in the imaging position 210. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 2A, four imaging sensors 208 may be arrangedabout the imaging position 210, with one of the imaging sensors 208being positioned to generate an image field that provides substantial360 degrees (e.g., within about 20 degrees) of coverage about the outerperiphery of the can 250. Such an arrangement of imaging sensors 208 maymaximize the ability of the imaging sensors 208 to detect and analyze abarcode provided on a side of the can 250. In a particular embodiment,each of the imaging sensors 208 may be positioned in a differentquadrant about the imaging position 208 and/or can 250, which may ensurethat a clear, undistorted view of the barcode is visible within an imagecaptured by at least one of the imaging sensors 208 unless the barcodeis entirely obscured by an adjacent can 250.

Production line 200 may include a number of lighting sources 212 thatemit light that is directed toward imaging fields of the imaging sensors208. For example, light emitted from each lighting source 212 may bedirected toward the imaging position 210 on the conveyor mechanism 202to help illuminate the outer surface of cans 250 as the cans 250 reachthe imaging position 210. The light sources 212 may be light emittingdiodes (LEDs), although other types of light sources are possible invarious embodiments. In some embodiments, the light sources 212 may beaffixed to and/or formed as part of the imaging sensors 208. Forexample, each imaging sensor 208 may include one or more LEDs or otherlight sources positioned on a housing of the imaging sensor 208. In aparticular embodiment, each imaging sensor 208 may be a camera, with oneor more LEDs arranged in a linear and/or arcuate manner about at least aportion of the camera lens. For example, a number of LEDs may bearranged to form an annular pattern that encircles the camera lens. Inother embodiments, such as illustrated in FIG. 2B, light sources 212 maybe discrete components that may be positioned above, below, and/oralongside the imaging sensors 208. As illustrated, the light sources 212are positioned above the imaging sensors 208 and a position of thebarcode of each can 250, with light from the light sources 212 beingdirected at a downward angle to illuminate the barcode of the can 250.In some embodiments, only one light source 212 may be provided on agiven side of a single file line of cans 250. In other embodiments,multiple light sources 212 may be provided on each side of the singlefile line of cans 250. For example, each imaging sensor 208 may includea dedicated light source 212, such that a number of light sources 212matches a number of imaging sensors 208. Other embodiments may utilize agreater number of light sources 212 than imaging sensors 208.

Images from the imaging sensors 208 may be analyzed to identify thepresence barcodes. When a barcode is detected within a given image, theimaging sensors 208 and/or another computing device may analyze thebarcode to decode information from the barcode. In some embodiments,only a portion of a barcode may need to be visible within an image toenable the barcode data to be decoded. For example, when the barcode isprinted or otherwise provided in a vertical orientation on the can 250,only a portion of a width of the barcode need to be detected within anyof the images to provide the imaging sensors 208 and/or computing devicewith a full length and set of lines of the barcode. This barcodeorientation may enable a partial barcode, such as barcodes 252 b and 252c shown in FIG. 3 , to be decoded. In some embodiments, the imagingsensors 208 may be optical sensors, such as laser barcode scanners. Insuch embodiments, rather than imaging the cans 250, the barcode scannersmay use a laser or other optical sensor to directly analyze and decodeand read information from the barcodes.

The decoded barcode information may then be compared to predeterminedbarcode data. For example, a given batch of cans 250 may be associatedwith a given identifier that is formed from an alphanumeric characterstring. This character string may be unique to a given type of can 250(such as for a specific beverage product). When a barcode is read from acan 250 on the production line 200, the barcode data may be comparedagainst a known identifier of the correct can type. If the barcode datafrom the can 250 matches the predetermined barcode data, the can 250 maycontinue down the conveyor mechanism 202 to the subsequent station 206.If no barcode is read on a given can 250 (such as when the barcode isobscured by an adjacent can 250, not present, or otherwise unreadable;referred to herein as “unidentified cans”) and/or the barcode data doesnot match the predetermined barcode data (i.e., a foreign can), theunidentified and/or foreign can 255 may be rejected. For example, asignal may be sent from the imaging sensors 208 and/or other computingdevice that triggers actuation of a removal mechanism 214 shown in FIG.2 . Removal mechanism 214 may be positioned downstream of the imagingsensors and may physically remove the unidentified and/or foreign can255 from the production line 200 and prevent the unidentified and/orforeign can from reaching subsequent station 206. Removal mechanism 214may be any device that is capable of removing one or more cans 250 fromthe production line 200, such as by diverting the cans 250 from aprimary path of the conveyor mechanism 202. As just one example, theremoval mechanism 214 may include a pneumatic blower that is configuredto emit pressurized air to remove objects from the production line 200.For example, the pressurized air may push and/or otherwise divertunidentified and/or foreign cans 255 off of the production line 200.Other removal mechanisms such as mechanical arms may be utilized invarious embodiments. In some embodiments, once an unidentified and/orforeign can 255 has been detected, the signal may cause the removalmechanism 214 to remove all cans 250 for a predetermined duration untilthe unidentified and/or foreign can 255 has been diverted and/orotherwise removed from the production line 200. The predeterminedduration may be selected based on a distance from the imaging position210 to the removal mechanism 214 and a rate of speed of the conveyormechanism 202. The duration may be sufficiently long to ensure that theunidentified and/or foreign can 255 has been diverted and/or otherwiseremoved from the production line 200. In other embodiments, the removalmechanism 214 may be designed to remove only those cans 250 that havebeen detected as being unidentified and/or foreign cans 255. In suchembodiments, the imaging sensors 208 and/or computing device maydetermine an amount of time it will take any unidentified and/or foreigncans 255 to be transported from the imaging position 210 to the removalmechanism 214. This amount of time may be based on a distance from theimaging position 210 to the removal mechanism 214 and a rate of speed ofthe conveyor mechanism 202. The signal sent from the imaging sensors 208and/or computing device to the removal mechanism 214 may cause actuationof the removal mechanism 214 (such as expelling a short, controlled jetof air) after the amount of time has elapsed. In some embodiments,rather than using a time-based element to trigger the removal mechanism214, one or more position and/or tracking sensors may be included thatmay monitor movement of any unidentified and/or foreign cans 255 andtrigger actuation of the removal mechanism 214 when the unidentifiedand/or foreign can 255 has reached the removal mechanism 214.

In some embodiments, rather than using a fully-automated removal system,the removal mechanism 214 may include one or more audio and/or visualalert mechanisms (e.g., speakers, display screens, light sources, etc.)that may produce an alert every time an unidentified and/or foreign can255 is detected. The alert may inform a human operator of the presenceof the unidentified and/or foreign can 255 and may enable the humanoperator to manually remove the unidentified and/or foreign can 255.Such removal mechanisms 214 may be particularly useful in slow-speedproduction lines.

In some embodiments, when a foreign can 255 is detected, a signal may becommunicated by the imaging sensors 208 and/or computing device thatcauses the production line 200 to halt. For example, the signal maycause each machine or device on the production line 200 to ceaseoperation. An alarm may be sounded that may alert a human inspector toreview the foreign can 255. By sounding the alarm and halting theproduction line 200, the human inspector may be provided with anopportunity to investigate how the foreign can 255 made it into theproduction line 200. The production line 200 may be restarted by thehuman.

In some embodiments, the production line 200 may include multiple setsof imaging sensors 208, with each set of imaging sensors 208 directed ata different imaging position 210. For example, two sets of four imagingsensors 208 may be positioned along the conveyor mechanism 202 (and/oron each single file line of cans 250). The imaging positions 210 of eachset of imaging sensors 208 may be spaced apart from one another alongthe conveyor mechanism 202. The spacing between the imaging positions210 may be determined based on an average rotation speed of the cans 250as the cans 250 proceed down the production line 200. For example, thespacing may be selected such that if a can has an barcode at the firstof the imaging positions the rotation of the can 250 will position thebarcode within an area visible to the imaging sensors 208 at the secondimaging position 210. Each of the cans 250 may then be read by both setsof imaging sensors 208. Data from each of the two sets of imagingsensors 208 may be combined and compared by the imaging sensors 208and/or other computing device to generate approval/rejectiondeterminations. For example, if one or both sets of imaging sensors 208detect a proper barcode, the can 250 may be approved and proceed to thesubsequent station 206. If neither set of imaging sensors 208 detects abarcode (which should be uncommon due to the placement of the imagingpositions 210), the can 250 may be rejected as unidentified. If one orboth of the sets of imaging sensors 208 detects an improper barcode, theforeign can 255 may be rejected and/or the production line 200 may behalted.

In other embodiments, production line 200 may include a return line. Ifa barcode is not identified on a given can 250 by the imaging sensors208. The removal mechanism 214 and/or other device may redirect theunidentified can to the return line. The return line may transport theunidentified can upstream to a position on the conveyor mechanism 202that precedes the imaging sensors 208. The unidentified can 250 may thenbe imaged again by the imaging sensors 208 in an attempt to capture thebarcode. This process may be repeated as many times as is necessary todetect a barcode. Once the barcode is detected, the can may be approvedor rejected as described above.

One or more waste collection mechanisms 216 may be provided to collectany diverted unidentified and/or foreign cans 255 for subsequenttransport to a recycling center. In some embodiments, the wastecollection mechanism may include a bin or chute that collectsunacceptable cans. In other embodiments, the waste collection mechanism216 may be a waste conveyor that transports the collected cans to a binor other storage area for subsequent transport to the recycling center.

In instances in which the barcode is a QR code or other two-dimensionalbarcode and is not fully captured within any single image of the imagingsensors 208, the imaging sensors 208 and/or a computing device coupledwith the imaging sensors 208 may determine whether portions of the QRcode are visible in multiple images. If the QR code is visible inmultiple images, the relevant images may be digitally stitched togetherto form a composite image showing the full QR code. For example, theimaging sensors 208 and/or computing device may analyze the images toidentify regions of overlap within two or more images and combine theimages together to generate the composite image. The full QR code withinthe composite image may be decoded and analyzed to determine if the dataencoded in the QR code matches predetermined barcode data as describedabove.

In some embodiments, rather than (or in addition to) barcodes, the cans250 or other objects may include radio frequency identification (RFID)tags, such as passive RFID tags like near field communication (NFC)chips and/or other passive RFID chips. In such embodiments, theproduction line 200 may include a number of RFID readers that may readdata from each RFID tag as the cans 250 pass the RFID readers. Forexample, with passive RFID tags, the RFID reader may emit an RF signalthat powers the RFID tag, which may then send back a signal with anidentifier that provides data that may be analyzed to determine anidentity of the can 250.

The barcode and/or RFID verification techniques described herein may beused in place of conventional mixed label inspection techniques. Inother embodiments, the barcode and/or RFID verification techniquesdescribed herein may be used to supplement the results of a conventionalmixed label inspection system. For example, one or more imaging devicesof a mixed label inspection system may be positioned before and/or afterthe imaging (or RFID) sensors used for data verification as describedherein. The mixed label inspection system and the imaging sensors of thepresent invention may be positioned at a same location in a productionline (e.g., at or between a single station or pair of stations) and/ormay be provided at different locations on the production line (e.g., themixed image inspection system positioned after the decorator and thebarcode/RFID system just before the palletizer and/or filling station).

Production line 200 may include one or more proximity sensors 218. Forexample, at least one proximity sensor 218 may be directed at eachsingle file line of the conveyor mechanism. The proximity sensors 218may include laser sensors, infrared (IR) sensors, millimeter wavesensors, capacitive sensors, Doppler sensors, RADAR sensors, photocellsensors, inductive sensors, and the like. The proximity sensors 218 maybe used to detect when a particular can 250 (or other object) isapproaching the imaging position on the conveyor mechanism 202. When acan 250 is detected, a signal may be transmitted to the imaging sensors208 that triggers the imaging sensors (when not operating continuouslyand/or in video mode) directed at a given imaging position 210 tosimultaneously capture an image of the outer surface of the can 250.Typically, the image captured by one or more of the imaging sensors 208may include a barcode of the can 250, although in some instances thebarcode may be entirely obscured by another can 250. Along withtriggering the actuation of the imaging sensors 208, the proximitysensors 218 may be used to count the number of cans 250 that are passingover the conveyor mechanism 202. This count may be reconciled with acount of the number of barcodes analyzed to determine whether all cans250 in a production run have been accounted for. For example, a numberof cans 250 detected by the proximity sensor 218 may be compared with anumber of barcodes analyzed by the imaging sensors 208 (which mayinclude a number of correct barcodes and/or a number of foreignbarcodes) to determine whether all of the plurality of objects within aproduction run have been verified. In some embodiments, a number ofunidentified cans may also be factored into the comparison to ensure allcans 250 within the production run have been verified. A computingdevice of the production line 200 may track statistics associated witherror rates (e.g., a number of unidentified and/or foreign cans 255detected in each run, what went wrong, what was the cause of the error,etc.), which may be used to improve the operation of the production line200.

By automating the can identification process using barcode verificationtechniques described here, embodiments of the present invention mayreduce the error rate associated with current mixed label inspectiontechniques and/or human inspection. Additionally, by removing the humanelement entirely when no foreign cans 255 are detected, embodiments maysignificantly improve production line speed, which may help increase theefficiency of the production line.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process 400 for verifying anidentity of objects in a production line. Process 400 may be performedby various devices of a production line, similar to production lines 100and 200 described herein. For example, various functions of process 400may be performed using a computing device, imaging sensors, conveyormechanisms, and/or removal mechanisms. Process 400 may incorporate anyof the functionality of such production lines in various embodiments.Process 400 may include a number of optional operations, which may ormay not be specifically associated with some embodiments of methodsaccording to the present technology.

Process 400 may begin at operation 402 by transporting a plurality ofobjects, such as cans, along a production line. The objects may betransported using one or more conveyor mechanisms, such as vacuumconveyors, belt conveyors, chain conveyors, and the like. In someembodiments, the conveyor mechanisms may force the objects into one ormore single file lines, such as by using a dual single filer conveyormechanism. Process 400 may include detecting an individual object of theplurality of objects using a proximity sensor at operation 404. Forexample, as each object passes by the proximity sensor and approaches animaging position of a number of imaging sensors, the object may bedetected. Once an object is detected, at least some of the imagingsensors are triggered to capture an image of a barcode on an outersurface of the individual object at operation 406. Oftentimes, at leastone image captured by one of the imaging sensors may include all or partof the barcode. The barcodes may be vertically oriented on the outersurface of the can in some embodiments, which may enable data from thebarcode to be decoded and read even if only a vertical sliver of thebarcode is detected in a given image. In some embodiments, the outersurface of the object may be illuminated by one or more light sourcesthat emit light directed at the outer surface to enhance the visibilityof the barcode.

Process 400 may include determining whether data from the barcodematches predetermined barcode data at operation 408. This determinationmay include decoding information from the detected full or partialbarcode and comparing the decoded information with an identifier and/orother information of a known can type. For example, a production run maybe initiated to package and/or fill a particular can (or othercontainer) associated with a particular beverage or other product. Theparticular can may include a predetermined identifier that ensures theproper packaging is used with a particular product. This information maybe initialized using one or more techniques. For example, thepredetermined identifier may be set manually by a human operator keyingin a barcode identifier to use as the predetermined identifier. In someembodiments, a human operator may use a hand scanner (or other scanningdevice) to scan the barcode from one correct can to set thepredetermined identifier for a given production run. In someembodiments, the predetermined identifier may be selected by the humanoperator using an interface that accesses a database of known barcodeinformation. For example, the operator may interact with a userinterface that enables the operator to select a given can type for theproduction run, which may cause the barcode associated with the selectedcan type to be initialized as the predetermined identifier. Anycombination of the above and/or other barcode initialization processesmay be performed in various embodiments. Information from the barcodemay be compared with this predetermined information to ensure that eachcan moving down the production line is a correct type of can prior tothe can being palletized and/or filled. If an incorrect barcode is read(indicating a foreign can) and/or no barcode was detected, process 400may include removing the individual object from the production line. Forexample, a removal mechanism may be triggered that diverts and/orotherwise removes the individual object from the production line forinspection and/or recycling. In some embodiments, when a foreign can isdetected process 400 may include halting the production line and/orsounding an alarm. The halting of the production line may provide ahuman inspector an opportunity to review the foreign can and investigatehow the foreign can made it into the production line. The productionline may later be restarted by the human. In some embodiments, theprocess 400 may include comparing a number of objects detected by theproximity sensor with a number of barcodes analyzed by the imagingsensors (possibly including a number of objects with no detectedbarcode) to determine whether all of the plurality of objects within aproduction run have been verified.

A computer system as illustrated in FIG. 5 may be incorporated as partof the previously described computerized devices. For example, computersystem 500 can represent some of the components of computing devices,such as conveyor mechanisms 202, imaging sensors 208, removal devices214, and/or other computing devices described herein. FIG. 5 provides aschematic illustration of one embodiment of a computer system 500 thatcan perform the methods provided by various other embodiments, asdescribed herein. FIG. 5 is meant only to provide a generalizedillustration of various components, any or all of which may be utilizedas appropriate. FIG. 5 , therefore, broadly illustrates how individualsystem elements may be implemented in a relatively separated orrelatively more integrated manner.

The computer system 500 is shown comprising hardware elements that canbe electrically coupled via a bus 505 (or may otherwise be incommunication, as appropriate). The hardware elements may include aprocessing unit 510, including without limitation one or moreprocessors, such as one or more central processing units (CPUs),graphical processing units (GPUs), special-purpose processors (such asdigital signal processing chips, graphics acceleration processors,and/or the like); one or more input devices 515, which can includewithout limitation a keyboard, a touchscreen, receiver, a motion sensor,a camera, a smartcard reader, a contactless media reader, and/or thelike; and one or more output devices 520, which can include withoutlimitation a display device, a speaker, a printer, a writing module,and/or the like.

The computer system 500 may further include (and/or be in communicationwith) one or more non-transitory storage devices 525, which cancomprise, without limitation, local and/or network accessible storage,and/or can include, without limitation, a disk drive, a drive array, anoptical storage device, a solid-state storage device such as a randomaccess memory (“RAM”) and/or a read-only memory (“ROM”), which can beprogrammable, flash-updateable and/or the like. Such storage devices maybe configured to implement any appropriate data stores, includingwithout limitation, various file systems, database structures, and/orthe like.

The computer system 500 might also include a communication interface530, which can include without limitation a modem, a network card(wireless or wired), an infrared communication device, a wirelesscommunication device and/or chipset (such as a Bluetooth™ device, an502.11 device, a Wi-Fi device, a WiMAX device, an NFC device, cellularcommunication facilities, etc.), and/or similar communicationinterfaces. The communication interface 530 may permit data to beexchanged with a network (such as the network described below, to nameone example), other computer systems, and/or any other devices describedherein. In many embodiments, the computer system 500 will furthercomprise a non-transitory working memory 535, which can include a RAM orROM device, as described above.

The computer system 500 also can comprise software elements, shown asbeing currently located within the working memory 535, including anoperating system 540, device drivers, executable libraries, and/or othercode, such as one or more application programs 545, which may comprisecomputer programs provided by various embodiments, and/or may bedesigned to implement methods, and/or configure systems, provided byother embodiments, as described herein. Merely by way of example, one ormore procedures described with respect to the method(s) discussed abovemight be implemented as code and/or instructions executable by acomputer (and/or a processor within a computer); in an aspect, then,such special/specific purpose code and/or instructions can be used toconfigure and/or adapt a computing device to a special purpose computerthat is configured to perform one or more operations in accordance withthe described methods.

A set of these instructions and/or code might be stored on acomputer-readable storage medium, such as the storage device(s) 525described above. In some cases, the storage medium might be incorporatedwithin a computer system, such as computer system 500. In otherembodiments, the storage medium might be separate from a computer system(e.g., a removable medium, such as a compact disc), and/or provided inan installation package, such that the storage medium can be used toprogram, configure and/or adapt a special purpose computer with theinstructions/code stored thereon. These instructions might take the formof executable code, which is executable by the computer system 500and/or might take the form of source and/or installable code, which,upon compilation and/or installation on the computer system 500 (e.g.,using any of a variety of available compilers, installation programs,compression/decompression utilities, etc.) then takes the form ofexecutable code.

Substantial variations may be made in accordance with specificrequirements. For example, customized hardware might also be used,and/or particular elements might be implemented in hardware, software(including portable software, such as applets, etc.), or both. Moreover,hardware and/or software components that provide certain functionalitycan comprise a dedicated system (having specialized components) or maybe part of a more generic system. For example, a risk management engineconfigured to provide some or all of the features described hereinrelating to the risk profiling and/or distribution can comprise hardwareand/or software that is specialized (e.g., an application-specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a software method, etc.) or generic (e.g.,processing unit 510, applications 545, etc.) Further, connection toother computing devices such as network input/output devices may beemployed.

Some embodiments may employ a computer system (such as the computersystem 500) to perform methods in accordance with the disclosure. Forexample, some or all of the procedures of the described methods may beperformed by the computer system 500 in response to processing unit 510executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions (which mightbe incorporated into the operating system 540 and/or other code, such asan application program 545) contained in the working memory 535. Suchinstructions may be read into the working memory 535 from anothercomputer-readable medium, such as one or more of the storage device(s)525. Merely by way of example, execution of the sequences ofinstructions contained in the working memory 535 might cause theprocessing unit 510 to perform one or more procedures of the methodsdescribed herein. Each device described herein (imaging sensor, conveyormechanism, removal mechanism, other computing device, etc.) may includeand/or be coupled with a processing unit 510 that may perform and/orcause the performance of any of the functionality attributed to thatdevice. For example, one or more processing units 510 may trigger theimaging sensors to capture an image of a barcode, decode and read thebarcode is determine whether data from the barcode matches predeterminedbarcode data, send a signal that causes a removal device to remove anindividual object from the production line, halt the production line,sound an alarm, and/or compare a number of objects detected by theproximity sensor with a number of barcodes analyzed by the imagingsensors. Additional functionality may be performed by one or moreprocessing units 510 in various embodiments.

The terms “machine-readable medium” and “computer-readable medium,” asused herein, refer to any medium that participates in providing datathat causes a machine to operate in a specific fashion. In an embodimentimplemented using the computer system 500, various computer-readablemedia might be involved in providing instructions/code to processingunit 510 for execution and/or might be used to store and/or carry suchinstructions/code (e.g., as signals). In many implementations, acomputer-readable medium is a physical and/or tangible storage medium.Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to,non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatilemedia include, for example, optical and/or magnetic disks, such as thestorage device(s) 525. Volatile media include, without limitation,dynamic memory, such as the working memory 535. Transmission mediainclude, without limitation, coaxial cables, copper wire, and fiberoptics, including the wires that comprise the bus 505, as well as thevarious components of the communication interface 530 (and/or the mediaby which the communication interface 530 provides communication withother devices). Hence, transmission media can also take the form ofwaves (including without limitation radio, acoustic and/or light waves,such as those generated during radio-wave and infrared datacommunications).

Common forms of physical and/or tangible computer-readable mediainclude, for example, a magnetic medium, optical medium, or any otherphysical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, EPROM, aFLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave asdescribed hereinafter, or any other medium from which a computer canread instructions and/or code.

The communication interface 530 (and/or components thereof) generallywill receive the signals, and the bus 505 then might carry the signals(and/or the data, instructions, etc. carried by the signals) to theworking memory 535, from which the processor(s) 510 retrieves andexecutes the instructions. The instructions received by the workingmemory 535 may optionally be stored on a non-transitory storage device525 either before or after execution by the processing unit 510.

In the embodiments described above, for the purposes of illustration,processes may have been described in a particular order. It should beappreciated that in alternate embodiments, the methods may be performedin a different order than that described. It should also be appreciatedthat the methods and/or system components described above may beperformed by hardware and/or software components (including integratedcircuits, processing units, and the like), or may be embodied insequences of machine-readable, or computer-readable, instructions, whichmay be used to cause a machine, such as a general-purpose orspecial-purpose processor or logic circuits programmed with theinstructions to perform the methods. These machine-readable instructionsmay be stored on one or more machine-readable mediums, such as CD-ROMsor other type of optical disks, floppy disks, ROMs, RAMs, EPROMs,EEPROMs, magnetic or optical cards, flash memory, or other types ofmachine-readable mediums suitable for storing electronic instructions.Alternatively, the methods may be performed by a combination of hardwareand software.

The methods, systems, devices, graphs, and tables discussed herein areexamples. Various configurations may omit, substitute, or add variousprocedures or components as appropriate. For instance, in alternativeconfigurations, the methods may be performed in an order different fromthat described, and/or various stages may be added, omitted, and/orcombined. Also, features described with respect to certainconfigurations may be combined in various other configurations.Different aspects and elements of the configurations may be combined ina similar manner. Also, technology evolves and, thus, many of theelements are examples and do not limit the scope of the disclosure orclaims. Additionally, the techniques discussed herein may providediffering results with different types of context awareness classifiers.

While illustrative and presently preferred embodiments of the disclosedsystems, methods, and machine-readable media have been described indetail herein, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may beotherwise variously embodied and employed, and that the appended claimsare intended to be construed to include such variations, except aslimited by the prior art.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly or conventionally understood. As usedherein, the articles “a” and “an” refer to one or to more than one(i.e., to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article. By wayof example, “an element” means one element or more than one element.“About” and/or “approximately” as used herein when referring to ameasurable value such as an amount, a temporal duration, and the like,encompasses variations of ±20% or ±10%, ±5%, or +0.1% from the specifiedvalue, as such variations are appropriate to in the context of thesystems, devices, circuits, methods, and other implementations describedherein. “Substantially” as used herein when referring to a measurablevalue such as an amount, a temporal duration, a physical attribute (suchas frequency), and the like, also encompasses variations of ±20% or±10%, ±5%, or +0.1% from the specified value, as such variations areappropriate to in the context of the systems, devices, circuits,methods, and other implementations described herein.

As used herein, including in the claims, “and” as used in a list ofitems prefaced by “at least one of” or “one or more of” indicates thatany combination of the listed items may be used. For example, a list of“at least one of A, B, and C” includes any of the combinations A or B orC or AB or AC or BC and/or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Furthermore, tothe extent more than one occurrence or use of the items A, B, or C ispossible, multiple uses of A, B, and/or C may form part of thecontemplated combinations. For example, a list of “at least one of A, B,and C” may also include AA, AAB, AAA, BB, etc.

1. (canceled)
 2. A beverage can filling line, comprising: an unloadingmechanism that is configured to unload a plurality of beverage cans froma storage unit; a filling station that is configured to fill each of theplurality of beverage cans with a liquid beverage; a conveyor mechanismdisposed between the unloading mechanism and the filling station,wherein the conveyor mechanism is configured to transport the pluralityof beverage cans from the unloading mechanism to the filling station; aplurality of imaging sensors; one or more processors; and a memoryhaving instructions stored thereon that, when executed, cause the one ormore processors to: detect information encoded on an outer surface of atleast some of the plurality of cans using the plurality of imagingsensors; analyze the information encoded on the outer surface of the atleast some of the plurality of cans; determine whether informationencoded on the outer surface of the at least some of the plurality ofcans matches data associated with the liquid beverage; and filling eachof the plurality of cans having information encoded on the outer surfacethat matches the data associated with the liquid beverage with theliquid beverage.
 3. The beverage can filling line of claim 2, furthercomprising: a proximity sensor disposed along the conveyor mechanism,wherein the instructions cause the one or more processors to: detect anindividual beverage can of the plurality of beverage cans using theproximity sensor; and trigger the plurality of imaging sensors to detectthe information encoded on the outer surface of the at least some of theplurality of beverage cans.
 4. The beverage can filling line of claim 3,wherein the instructions cause the one or more processors to: compare acount of a number of beverage cans detected by the proximity sensor witha count of a number of the plurality of cans having information encodedon the outer surface that was analyzed.
 5. The beverage can filling lineof claim 2, wherein: the plurality of imaging sensors are configured todetect the information encoded on the outer surface of the at least someof the plurality of cans at intervals that match a rate of speed of theplurality of beverage cans along the conveyor mechanism.
 6. The beveragecan filling line of claim 2, wherein: the conveyor mechanism isconfigured to transport the plurality of beverage cans from theunloading mechanism to the filling station at a rate of greater than 500cans per minute.
 7. The beverage can filling line of claim 2, wherein:the plurality of imaging sensors comprise one or both of a camera and alaser scanner.
 8. The beverage can filling line of claim 2, wherein: theplurality of beverage cans are spaced apart along the conveyor mechanismby a gap that is less than 0.25 times a width of an individual one ofthe plurality of beverage cans.
 9. The beverage can filling line ofclaim 2, wherein: each of the plurality of imaging sensors comprises adedicated light source that directs light to an imaging position of arespective one of the plurality of imaging sensors.
 10. The beverage canfilling line of claim 9, wherein: each dedicated light source is affixedto a respective one of the plurality of imaging sensors.
 11. Thebeverage can filling line of claim 10, wherein: each dedicated lightsource comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged inan annular pattern that encircles a lens of the respective one of theplurality of imaging sensors.
 12. A method of verifying an identity ofobjects in a production line, comprising: unloading a plurality ofbeverage cans from a storage unit using an unloading mechanism;transporting the plurality of beverage cans from the unloading mechanismto a filling station using a conveyor mechanism; detecting informationencoded on an outer surface of at least some of the plurality of cansusing a plurality of imaging sensors positioned about the conveyormechanism; analyzing the information encoded on the outer surface of theat least some of the plurality of cans; determining whether informationencoded on the outer surface of the at least some of the plurality ofcans matches data associated with a liquid beverage; and filling each ofthe plurality of cans having information encoded on the outer surfacethat matches the data associated with the liquid beverage with theliquid beverage.
 13. The method of verifying an identity of objects in aproduction line of claim 12, further comprising: removing a subset ofthe plurality of beverage cans from the conveyor mechanism upondetermining that the information encoded on the outer surface of atleast one can of the subset does not match data associated with theliquid beverage.
 14. The method of verifying an identity of objects in aproduction line of claim 13, wherein: removing the subset of theplurality of beverage cans from the conveyor mechanism comprisesremoving multiple beverage cans for a predetermined duration until theat least one can of the subset has been removed.
 15. The method ofverifying an identity of objects in a production line of claim 14,wherein: the predetermined duration is based on one or both of adistance between an imaging position of the plurality of imaging sensorsand a rate of speed of a conveyor mechanism.
 16. The method of verifyingan identity of objects in a production line of claim 13, wherein: thesubset comprises a single beverage can.
 17. The method of verifying anidentity of objects in a production line of claim 16, wherein: removingthe subset of the plurality of beverage cans from the conveyor mechanismcomprises: determining an amount of time it will take for the singlebeverage can to be transported from an imaging position of the pluralityof imaging sensors to a removal device; and causing the removal deviceto actuate after the amount of time has elapsed to remove only thesingle beverage can from the conveyor mechanism.
 18. The method ofverifying an identity of objects in a production line of claim 12,further comprising: determining that no information encoded was detectedon the outer surface of at least one can of the plurality of cans;diverting the at least one can to a return line; and transporting the atleast one can past the plurality of sensors an additional time.
 19. Themethod of verifying an identity of objects in a production line of claim12, wherein: the information encoded on the outer surface of each of theplurality of beverage cans comprises a barcode.
 20. The method ofverifying an identity of objects in a production line of claim 12,wherein: the plurality of imaging sensors are arranged to collectivelyprovide an image field that extends 360 degrees about an imagingposition that individual ones of the plurality of beverage cans passthrough along the conveyor mechanism.
 21. The method of verifying anidentity of objects in a production line of claim 12, wherein: theplurality of beverage cans are arranged in a single file manner on theconveyor mechanism.